I can't believe I am saying this

by stpetelawyer on Nov 30, 2007 3:11 PM EST

but I am pretty happy with our team for 2008. We have three fine young arms to handle the front end of the rotation. We have plenty of capable pitchers to fight it out for the last two spots. Our relief corps is completely revamped from the beginning of '07. This team actually landed a good free agent closer?! We have some good placeholders until the guys down on the farm are ready. Players such as Brignac don't need to be rushed. I think we can all agree that this is a "make it break it" year for Navi but as long as he is just average, our lineup is fine. Also, maybe Dukes could surprise everyone and take over the rightfield job without any off the field "incidents." I really do not see any glaring holes in the lineup or pitching staff. I was curious to see if I was alone in my optimism. Is this a .500 team even in the AL East?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Re: I can't believe I am saying this

Welcome back from the dark side. ;-) Too bad Dukes is still Dukes. A healthy Baldelli (oxymoron?) would be RF plan A anyway with the existing roster.

by ttnorm on Nov 30, 2007 7:19 PM EST reply actions

Re: I can't believe I am saying this

I wish Dukes was out of Trouble. If he was clean of stuff like that, he'd be a unanimous selection to replace Delmon Young in Right Field. He's wasting his talent.

by Cory Alexander on Nov 30, 2007 8:25 PM EST reply actions

Re: I can't believe I am saying this

If April 2008 rolls around and Dukes hasn't taken hold of right field, I won't be as high on our 2008 chances. The Baldelli/Gomes/Ruggiono options aren't appealing at all. I don't care if you have to wheel him out in a Hannibal-Lector mask, I think Dukes is a vastly superior hitter and outfielder than any of those other scrubs, and he's going to be playing with a giant chip on his shoulder.

Dukes in '08!!!! The competition is dead, dawg!

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Dec 1, 2007 4:43 AM EST reply actions